Milford Sound
Experience · Fiordland, New Zealand
Milford Sound is the most photographed corner of Fiordland — a deep glacial fjord ringed by 1,200m cliffs, with Mitre Peak rising straight out of the water. It rains more days than not, and that's the point: the waterfalls only really fire after rain.
What to do
A two-hour nature cruise is the standard introduction (Real Journeys / Southern Discoveries / Mitre Peak Cruises all run them). For something quieter, kayak with Roscos or stay overnight on the Milford Mariner. Scenic flights from Queenstown and Wanaka are unforgettable if the weather plays.
Getting there
From Te Anau: 2 hours by road (one of the great drives in the world — leave early). From Queenstown: 4 hours each way, so consider a coach-cruise-fly combo or a Te Anau overnight.